Vehicle wheel cover retention system and method for producing same

ABSTRACT

An improved vehicle wheel cover retention system and method for producing the same includes a wheel disc and a wheel cover secured thereto. The wheel disc defines an outboard facing wheel surface and includes an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange. The outboard bead seat retaining flange includes an outer peripheral end and an inner surface having at least one annular groove formed therein. The wheel cover covers at least a portion of the outboard facing wheel surface and the entire portion of the outer peripheral end of the outboard bead seat retaining flange, and includes an outer end. The wheel cover is secured to the wheel disc by an adhesive/sealant. In particular, the adhesive/sealant is disposed in the annular groove to secure the outer end of the wheel cover to the outer peripheral end of the wheel disc and to provide a seal to prevent water, mud, salt and other debris from entering between the outer end of the wheel cover and the outer peripheral end of the wheel disc.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional ApplicationSerial No. 60/074,367, filed Feb. 11, 1998, U.S. Provisional ApplicationSerial No. 60/074,374, filed Feb. 11, 1998, and InternationalApplication No. PCT/US99/02888, filed Feb. 11, 1999.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates in general to vehicle wheels and in particular toan improved vehicle wheel cover retention system and method forproducing the same.

Full or partial vehicle wheel covers of the removable type are wellknown., and have been used for many years to enhance the styling ofconventional, stamped wheel discs. Also, it is known to permanentlysecure a full or partial wheel cover to a vehicle wheel using anadhesive.

One example of a vehicle wheel with a permanently secured wheel cover isdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,595,423 to Heck et al. In the Heck et al.patent, a wheel cover includes an outer annular lip which extends into agroove formed in an inner surface of an outer peripheral end of theoutboard tire bead seat retaining flange of a wheel disc.

Another example of a vehicle wheel having a permanently secured wheelcover is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,726,566 to Beith. In the Beithpatent, a wheel cover includes a terminal flange lip which is formed togrip an edge of a terminal flange of the wheel rim to aid in fixing thewheel cover to the wheel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an improved vehicle wheel cover retentionsystem and method for producing the same. In particular, the vehiclewheel includes a wheel disc defining an outboard facing wheel surfaceand including an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange. The outboardbead seat retaining flange includes an outer peripheral end and an innersurface having at least one annular groove formed therein. The vehiclewheel further includes a wheel cover which covers at least a portion ofthe outboard facing wheel surface and the entire portion of the outerperipheral end of the outboard bead seat retaining flange. The wheelcover includes an outer end. The wheel cover is secured to the wheeldisc by an adhesive/sealant. In particular, the adhesive/sealant isdisposed in the annular groove to secure the outer end of the wheelcover to the outer peripheral end of the wheel disc and to provide aseal to prevent water, mud, salt and other debris from entering betweenthe outer end of the wheel cover and the outer peripheral end of thewheel disc.

Other advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilledin the art from the following detailed description of the preferredembodiments, when read in light of the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of animproved vehicle wheel constructed in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a selected portion of the vehicle wheelillustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a selected portion of thevehicle wheel illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional showing only the wheel disc illustratedin FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view showing only the wheel coverillustrated in 3

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the selected portion of the vehicle wheelillustrated in FIG. 2, and showing the initial installation operation ofthe wheel cover.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing an intermediate installationoperation of the wheel cover in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view showing the final installationoperation of the wheel cover illustrated in FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of an embodiment of the wheel coverillustrated in FIG. 5 and showing the initial installation operation ofthe wheel cover.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing an intermediate installationoperation of the wheel illustrated in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing the final installation operation ofthe wheel cover illustrated in FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged sectional view of a selected portion of a secondembodiment of an improved vehicle wheel constructed in accordance withthe present invention.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged sectional showing only the wheel disc illustratedin FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged sectional view showing only the wheel coverillustrated in 12.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged sectional view of a selected portion of a thirdembodiment of an improved vehicle wheel constructed in accordance withthe present invention.

FIG. 16 is a sectional view showing an initial installation operation ofthe wheel cover illustrated in FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a sectional view showing an intermediate installationoperation of the wheel cover illustrated in FIG. 15.

FIG. 18 is a sectional view showing the final installation operation ofthe wheel cover illustrated in FIG. 15.

FIG. 19 is an enlarged sectional view of a selected portion of a fourthembodiment of an improved vehicle wheel constructed in accordance withthe present invention.

FIG. 20 is a sectional view showing an initial installation operation ofthe wheel cover illustrated in FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is a sectional view showing the final installation operation ofthe wheel cover illustrated in FIG. 19.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated in FIG. 1 asectional view of a first embodiment of a vehicle wheel, indicatedgenerally at 10, including a vehicle wheel cover retention system inaccordance with the present invention. The vehicle wheel 10 shown inthis embodiment is a full face type of wheel, and includes a wheel rim11, a full face wheel disc 12, a wheel cover 13, and a cap 14. Althoughthis invention is discussed in conjunction with the particular wheeldisclosed herein, it will be appreciated that the invention may be usedin conjunction with other types of wheel constructions. For example, thevehicle wheel can be a “bead seat attached” wheel such as shown in FIG.4 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,188,429 to Heck et al., a “well attached” wheelsuch as shown in FIG. 3 of Heck et al., a “bimetal” wheel constructionincluding an aluminum disc and a steel rim such as shown in U.S. Pat.No. 5,421,642 to Wei et al., or a “modular wheel” construction includinga “partial” rim and a full face wheel disc such as shown in U.S. Pat.No. 5,360,261 to Archibald et al., the disclosures of all of thesepatents incorporated herein by reference.

The wheel rim 11 is a fabricated wheel rim constructed of steel,aluminum, or other suitable alloy materials. The wheel rim 11 includesan inboard tire bead seat retaining flange 16, an inboard tire bead seat18, a generally axially extending well 20, and an outboard tire beadseat 22. The wheel rim 11 further includes an opening (not shown) formedtherein to accommodate a valve stem (not shown).

The wheel disc 12 is forged, cast, fabricated, or otherwise formed, andis constructed of steel, aluminum, or other suitable alloy materials.The wheel disc 12 includes a generally centrally located wheel mountingsurface 24, and an outer annular portion 26. The wheel mounting surface24 is provided with a centrally located pilot aperture 28, and aplurality of lug bolt receiving holes 30. The lug bolt receiving holes30 receive lug bolts (not shown) for securing the vehicle wheel 10 on avehicle axle (not shown).

The outer annular portion 26 of the wheel disc 12 defines an outboardtire bead seat retaining flange of the vehicle wheel 10, and includes anouter surface 26A and an inner surface 26B, shown in FIG. 2. To assemblethe vehicle wheel 10, an outboard end 36 of the wheel rim 11 ispositioned against the inner surface 26B of the wheel disc 12, and aweld 38 is provided to join the wheel disc 12 and the wheel rim 11together as shown in FIG. 2. The wheel disc 12 further includes aplurality of decorative windows 40 (five windows 40 being illustrated).As shown in this embodiment, one of the windows 40 includes a cut-outportion 42 (shown in FIG. 1), to accommodate the valve stem.

The wheel cover 13 shown in this embodiment is preferably formed fromstainless steel having a thickness in the range of about 0.010 inch toabout 0.030 inch and, more preferably, having a thickness ofapproximately 0.020 inch, and is painted or chrome-plated.Alternatively, the wheel cover 16 may be formed from other metal and/ornon-metal materials, such as for example, plastic which can be paintedor chrome-plated.

The wheel cover 13 is prefabricated to generally match the particularconfiguration of the outboard facing surface 12A of the disc wheel 12.In particular, the wheel cover 13 includes a plurality of openings 44which correspond to the windows 40 formed in the wheel disc 12, and anenlarged central opening 46. One of the openings 44 includes a cut-outportion 48 which generally corresponds to the cut-out 42 provided in theone window 40 to accommodate the valve stem. The openings 44 in thewheel cover 13 are preferably formed by a stamping operation. Also, asbest shown in FIG. 2, edges 50 of the wheel cover openings 44 preferablyextend slightly past edges 52 of the windows 40 to effectively overlapthe edges 52 of the windows 40. As a result of this, when a wheel cover13 which has been chrome-plated is joined to the wheel disc 12, thecompletely assembled vehicle wheel 10 of the present invention has theappearance of a “chrome-plated” vehicle wheel.

As shown in this embodiment, the cap 14 is secured to the wheel disc 12by a plurality of fasteners 54 (only one fastener 54 being illustrated).The fasteners 54 extend through openings 56 formed in the cap 14, andare received in threaded inserts 58 which are secured in openingsprovided in the wheel mounting surface 24 of the wheel disc 12. Theinner edge of the wheel cover 13 can either be located outside the edgeof the cap 14 (as shown in FIG. 2 at 60), or, alternatively, can extendradially inwardly under the cap 14 (not shown).

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the outboard tire bead seat retaining flange26 of the wheel disc 12 includes an outer peripheral end 62 having aplurality of spaced apart annular grooves 64, 66, and 68 formed therein(three of such grooves being illustrated in this embodiment).Preferably, the outer peripheral end 62 and the grooves 64, 66, and 68are formed by a machining operation to predetermined specifications.However, the outer peripheral end 62 and/or one or more of the groove64, 66, and 68 can be formed by other methods. For example, the outerperipheral end 62 and/or one or more of the grooves 64, 66, and 68 canbe formed by a stamping operation or a spinning operation. As shown inFIG. 4, the outer peripheral end 62 includes a first surface 62A, asecond surface 62B, a third surface 62C, a fourth surface 62D, a fifthsurface 62E, a sixth surface 62F, a seventh surface 62G, an eighthsurface 62H, a ninth surface 62I, a tenth surface 62J, an eleventhsurface 62K, a twelfth surface 62L, a thirteenth surface 62M, afourteenth surface 62N, and a fifteenth surface 62P. Alternatively, theconfiguration of the outer peripheral end 62 can be other thanillustrated if desired, and the number, spacing, and configuration ofthe grooves 64, 66, and 68 and/or one or more of the surfaces 62Athrough 62P can be other than illustrated if desired.

As shown in FIG. 4, the groove 64 formed in the inner surface 26B of theoutboard tire bead seat retaining flange 26 extends in a generallyradial direction to a predetermined maximum distance X1 measured from aline A1 (which is generally parallel with respect to the wheel axis A)to the surface 62F. The groove 66 formed in the inner surface 26B of theoutboard tire bead seat retaining flange 26 extends in a generallyradial direction to a predetermined maximum distance X2 from the line A1to the surface 62J. The groove 68 formed in the inner surface 26B of theoutboard tire bead seat retaining flange 26 extends in a generallyradial direction to a predetermined maximum distance X3 from the line A1to the surface 62N. In the illustrated embodiment, the distances X1 andX2 are generally equal to one another and less than the distance X3.Alternatively, one or more of the distances X1, X2, and X3 can be otherthan illustrated. As will be discussed below, the distance X3 isselected so that an outer peripheral end 78 of the wheel cover 13 ispreferably completely recessed within the groove 68. Also, the outboardtire bead seat retaining flange 26 of the wheel disc 12 and the outerperipheral end 62 an outer end 70 of the wheel cover 13 are designed toensure that a wheel balance weight 15 (shown in phantom in FIG. 3), canbe attached to the vehicle wheel 10.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the wheel cover 13 includes an the outer end70 which defines an outer surface 72, an inner surface 74, and an outerannular lip 76. The outer annular lip 76 defines an outer peripheraledge 78. As shown in this embodiment, the inner surface 74 of the wheelcover 13 contacts the adjacent surfaces 62D, 62E, and 62F of the discwheel disc 12, and the outer annular lip 76 is slightly flared outwardlyso that the outer peripheral edge 78 of the wheel cover 13 is spacedfrom the adjacent surfaces 62M, 62N, and 62P of the groove 68 for apurpose to be discussed below; however, in some instances, dependingupon the uniformity of the outer annular lip 76 of the wheel cover 13,the contact between the wheel cover 13 and the wheel disc 12 can beother than illustrated. As best shown in FIG. 5, the outer end 70 isprovided with an annular depression 70A.

In order to permanently secure the wheel cover 13 to the wheel disc 12,an adhesive/sealant 80 is utilized, such as a silicone or an epoxy. Theadhesive/sealant 80 is preferably applied on the outboard face of thewheel disc 12 and the outer peripheral end 62 of the wheel disc 12 in apredetermined pattern so that when the wheel cover 13 is installed onthe wheel disc 12, the adhesive 80 is effective to permanently securethe wheel cover 13 to the wheel disc 12 and also provides a seal betweenthe wheel cover 13 and the wheel disc 12 which is effective to preventwater, mud, salt and other debris from entering between the wheel cover13 and the outboard facing surface of the wheel disc 12. In addition,the adhesive 80 fills the grooves 64, 66, and 68 to further assist insecuring the wheel cover 13 to the wheel disc 12 and also, the adhesivein the groove 68 further provides a seal to prevent water, mud, salt andother debris from entering between the outer annular lip 76 of the wheelcover 13 and the outboard tire bead seat retaining flange 26 of thewheel disc 13. Alternatively, the adhesive/sealant 80 can be applied tothe inner surface of the wheel cover 13.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 through 8, there is illustrated a sequence ofoperations for producing the vehicle wheel 10 in accordance with thisinvention. As shown therein, the wheel cover 13 includes the outer end70 which is prefabricated in such a manners manner so as to generallyresemble the particular configuration of the outboard facing surface 12Aof the wheel disc 12, including the outer end 62 thereof. In particular,the wheel cover 13 includes a prefabricated generally U-shaped outer end70 which generally matches the profile of the outer peripheral end 62 ofthe wheel disc 12.

To install the wheel cover 13, initially, as shown in FIG. 6, the wheelcover 13 is positioned adjacent the outboard facing surface 12A of thewheel disc 12 with a tool 82 positioned adjacent a portion of an outersurface 13A of the wheel cover 13. As shown in this embodiment, theadhesive 80 is preferably applied to the outboard facing surface 12A ofthe disc 12. Alternatively, the adhesive 80 can be selectively appliedto an inner surface 13B of the wheel cover 13; or can be selectivelyapplied to both the outboard facing surface 12A of the disc 12 and theinner surface 13B of the wheel cover 13.

Next, as shown in FIG. 7, the tool 82 is moved axially toward the wheeldisc 12 to bias the outer end 70 of the wheel cover 13 against theadjacent surface of the outer peripheral end 62 of the wheel disc 12 andforce open the outer end 70 of the wheel cover 13. The tool 82 isfurther moved axially toward the wheel disc 12 so as to space the innersurface 13B of the wheel cover 13 a predetermined distance P from theoutboard facing surface 12A of the wheel disc 12 such that there is asufficient thickness of adhesive 80 at the interface between the wheeldisc 12 and the wheel cover 13, as shown in FIG. 8. At the same time,the outer end 70 of the wheel cover 13 springs back to its prefabricatedprofile and is received in the groove 68.

Turning now to FIGS. 9 through 11 and using like reference numbers forcorresponding parts, there is illustrated a sequence of operations forsecuring the wheel cover 13 to the wheel disc 12 to produce the vehiclewheel 10 in accordance with this invention. The wheel cover 13illustrated in FIG. 9 includes the preformed outer end 70′ shown inphantom in FIG. 5. As shown therein, the preformed outer end 70′ has agenerally U-shaped configuration which generally corresponds to theconfiguration of the outer peripheral end 62 of the wheel disc 12.Alternatively, the wheel cover 13 can include the preformed outer end70″ (shown in phantom in FIG. 5).

Initially, as shown in FIG. 9, the wheel cover 13 is positioned adjacentthe outboard facing surface 12A of the wheel disc 26 with a tool 84positioned adjacent a portion of an outer surface 13A of the wheel cover13. In this embodiment, the adhesive/sealant 80 is preferably applied tothe outboard facing surface 12A of the wheel disc 12 in a predeterminedpattern. Next, as shown in FIG. 10, the tool 84 is moved axially towardthe wheel disc 12 and presses the wheel cover 13 against the wheel disc12 in a predetermined position. In particular, the tool 84 is effectiveto space the inner surface 13B of the wheel cover 13 a predetermineddistance P1 from the outboard facing surface 12A of the disc 12 suchthat there is a sufficient thickness of adhesive/sealant 80 at theinterface between the wheel disc 12 and the wheel cover 13.

Following this, the outer end 70′ of the wheel cover 13 is subjected toa flow spinning operation. During the flow spinning operation, an outersurface of the outer end 70′ of the wheel cover 13 is engaged by a toolend 86 of a spinning tool 88. The spinning tool 88 is mounted on asupport member (not shown) which allows the spinning tool 88 togenerally travel parallel to the profile of the outer peripheral end 62of the wheel disc 12. As shown in this embodiment, the spinning tool 88is advanced in the direction of the arrow 90 to deform the outer end 70′of the wheel cover 13 and produce the finished vehicle wheel 10. In theillustrated embodiment, since the wheel cover 13 is formed from arelatively strong material, this movement does not cause a thinning ofthe thickness of the wheel cover 13 but only is effective to deform theouter end 70′ of the wheel cover 13 to a desired final shape wherein theouter peripheral end 78 of the wheel cover 13 is preferably completelyrecessed within the groove 68. Alternatively, the flow spinningoperation can cause some thinning of the outer end 70′ of the wheelcover 13, especially if the wheel cover 13 is constructed of some othermaterials, such as for example, aluminium.

Turning now to FIG. 12, there is illustrated a sectional view of aportion of a second embodiment of a vehicle wheel, indicated generallyat 100, including a vehicle wheel cover retention system in accordancewith the present invention. The vehicle wheel includes a wheel rim 111joined to a full face wheel disc 112 by a weld 158, and a wheel cover113 secured to the wheel disc 112 by an adhesive/sealant 180.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange126 of the wheel disc 112 includes an outer peripheral end 162 having anannular groove 168 formed therein. Preferably, the outer peripheral end162 and the groove 168 are formed by a machining operation topredetermined specifications. However, the outer peripheral end 162and/or the groove 168 can be formed by other methods. For example, theouter peripheral end 162 and/or the groove 168 can be formed by astamping operation or a spinning operation. The outer peripheral end 162includes a first surface 162A, a second surface 162B, a third surface162C, a fourth surface 162D, and a fifth surface 162E. Alternatively,the configuration of the outer peripheral end 162 can be other thanillustrated if desired, and the number, spacing, and configuration ofthe groove 168 and/or one or more of the surfaces 162A through 162E canbe other than illustrated if desired. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, thegroove 168 formed in the board tire bead seat retaining flange 126extends in a generally radial direction to a predetermined maximumdistance X4 from a line A2 (which is generally parallel to the wheelaxis) to the surface 162D. As will be discussed below, the distance X4is selected so that an outer peripheral end 178 of the wheel cover 113is preferably completely recessed within the groove 168. Also, theoutboard tire bead seat retaining flange 126 of the wheel disc 112 andthe outer peripheral end 162 an outer end 170 of the wheel cover 113 aredesigned to ensure that a wheel balance weight 115 (shown in phantom inFIG. 12), can be attached to the vehicle wheel 100.

As shown in FIG. 12, the wheel cover 113 includes an the outer end 170which defines an outer surface 172, an inner surface 174, and an outerannular lip 176. The outer annular lip 176 defines the outer peripheraledge 178. As shown in this embodiment, a portion of the inner surface174 of the wheel cover 113 contacts the adjacent surface 162D of thedisc wheel disc 112, and the outermost end of the outer annular lip 176is slightly flared outwardly so that the outer peripheral edge 178 ofthe wheel cover 113 is spaced from the adjacent surfaces 162D and 162Eof the groove 168; however, in some instances, depending upon theuniformity of the outer annular lip 176 of the wheel cover 113, thecontact between the wheel cover 113 and the wheel disc 112 can be otherthan illustrated. Preferably, the outer end 170 of the wheel cover 113is prefabricated to generally match the particular configuration of anoutboard facing surface 112A of the wheel disc 112. Alternatively, thewheel cover 112 can include partially formed outer ends 170′ and 170″shown in phantom in FIG. 14. As best shown in FIG. 14, the outer end 170is provided with an annular depression 170A.

As shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 12, the inner surface 174of the wheel cover 113 is also spaced from the adjacent surfaces 162A,162B, and 162C of the wheel disc 112; however, in some instances,depending upon the dimensional uniformity of the wheel cover 113, therecould be contact between the inner surface of the wheel cover 113 andone or more of the surfaces 162A, 162B, and 162C of the wheel disc 112.To ensure that the inner surface 174 of the wheel cover 113 does notcontact the adjacent surfaces 162A, 162B, and 162C of the wheel disc112, the inner surface 174 of the wheel cover 113 is spaced from thesurface 162B of the wheel disc 112 by a predetermined distance D1 whichis greater than a distance D2 defined between the inner surface 113B ofthe wheel cover 113 and the outboard facing surface 112A of the wheeldisc 112.

Turning now to FIG. 15, there is illustrated a selected portion of athird embodiment of a vehicle wheel, indicated generally at 200,including a vehicle wheel cover retention system in accordance with thepresent invention. The vehicle wheel 200 includes a wheel portion 212(which can be a portion of a wheel disc or a wheel rim) and a wheelcover 213 secured thereto by an adhesive/sealant 280. The wheel portion212 includes an outer annular portion 226 which defines an outboard tirebead seat retaining flange of the vehicle wheel 200, and includes anouter surface 226A and an inner surface 226B. The wheel cover 213 isprefabricated to generally match the particular configuration of theoutboard facing surface 212A of the wheel portion 212

The outboard tire bead seat retaining flange 226 of the wheel portion212 includes an outer peripheral end 262 and an annular groove 268formed therein. Preferably, the outer peripheral end 262 and the groove268 are formed by a machining operation to predetermined specifications.However, the outer peripheral end 262 and/or the groove 268 can beformed by other methods. For example, the outer peripheral end 262and/or the groove 268 can be formed by a stamping operation or aspinning operation. The outer peripheral end 262 includes a firstsurface 262A, a second surface 262B, and a third surface 262C.Alternatively, the configuration of the outer peripheral end 262 can beother than illustrated if desired, and the number, spacing, andconfiguration of the groove 268 and/or one or more of the surfaces 262Athrough 262C can be other than illustrated if desired.

As shown in FIG. 15, the wheel cover 213 include an outer end 270 whichdefines an outer surface 272, an inner surface 274, and an outer annularlip 276. The outer annular lip 276 defines an outer peripheral edge 278.As shown in this embodiment, the inner surface 274 of the wheel cover213 does not contact the adjacent surface 262B of the wheel portion 212,and the inner surface 274 contacts substantially the entire adjacentsurface 262A of the wheel portion 212 and a portion of the adjacentsurface 262C of the wheel portion 212; however, in some instances,depending upon the uniformity of the outer annular lip 276 of the wheelcover 213, the contact between the wheel cover 213 and the wheel portion212 can be other than illustrated.

In order to permanently secure the wheel cover 213 to the wheel portion212, an adhesive/sealant 280 is utilized, such as a silicone or anepoxy. The adhesive/sealant 280 is preferably applied on the outboardfacing surface 212A of the wheel portion 212 and the outer peripheralend 262 of the wheel portion 212 in a predetermined pattern so that whenthe wheel cover 213 is installed on the wheel portion 212, theadhesive/sealant 280 is effective to permanently secure the wheel cover213 to the wheel portion 212 and also provides a seal between the wheelcover 213 and the wheel portion 212 which is effective to prevent water,mud, salt and other debris from entering between the wheel cover 213 andthe outboard facing surface 212A of the wheel portion 212. In addition,the adhesive/sealant 280 fills any gaps or spaces between the surfaces262A and 262B of the outer peripheral end 262 and the inner surface 274of the wheel cover 213 to further assist in securing the wheel cover 213to the wheel portion 212 and also to prevent water, mud, salt and otherdebris from entering between the outer annular lip 270 of the wheelcover 213 and the outboard tire bead seat retaining flange 226 of thewheel disc 213. Alternatively, the adhesive/sealant 280 can beselectively applied to the inner surface 213B of the wheel cover 213(not shown); or selectively applied to both the outboard facing surface212A of the wheel portion 212 and the inner surface 213B of the wheelcover 213.

Referring now to FIGS. 16 through 18, there is illustrated a sequence ofoperations for producing the vehicle wheel 200 in accordance with thisinvention. As shown therein, the wheel cover 213 includes the outer end270 which is prefabricated in such a manners manner so as to generallyresemble the particular configuration of the outboard facing surface212B of the wheel disc 212, including the outer end 262 thereof. Inparticular, the wheel cover 213 includes a prefabricated generallyU-shaped outer end 270 which generally matches the profile of the outerperipheral end 262 of the wheel disc 212. Alternatively, the wheel cover212 can include partially formed outer ends 270′ and 270″ shown inphantom in FIG. 16.

To install the wheel cover 213, initially, as shown in FIG. 16, thewheel cover 213 is positioned adjacent the outboard facing surface 212Aof the wheel portion 212 with a tool (not shown but can be similar tothe tool 82 shown in FIGS. 6 through 8) positioned adjacent a portion ofan outer surface 213A of the wheel cover 213. As shown in thisembodiment, the adhesive/sealant 280 is preferably applied to theoutboard facing surface 212A of the wheel portion 212. Alternatively,the adhesive/sealant 280 can be selectively applied to an inner surface213B of the wheel cover 213 (not shown); or selectively applied to boththe outboard facing surface 212A of the wheel portion 212 and the innersurface 213B of the wheel cover 213.

Next, as shown in FIG. 17, the tool is moved axially toward the wheelportion 212 to bias the outer end 270 of the wheel cover 213 against theadjacent surface of the outer peripheral end 262 of the wheel disc 212and force open the outer end 270 of the wheel cover 213. The tool isfurther moved axially toward the wheel disc 212 so as to space the innersurface 213B of the wheel cover 213 a predetermined distance from theoutboard facing surface 212A of the wheel portion 212 such that there isa sufficient thickness of adhesive/sealant 280 at the interface betweenthe wheel portion 212 and the wheel cover 213, as shown in FIG. 18. Atthe same time, the outer end 270 of the wheel cover 213 springs back toits prefabricated profile and is received in the groove 268.

Turning now to FIG. 19, there is illustrated a selected portion of afourth embodiment of a vehicle wheel, indicated generally at 300,including a vehicle wheel cover retention system in accordance with thepresent invention. The vehicle wheel 300 includes a wheel portion 312and a wheel cover 313 secured thereto. The wheel portion 312 includes anouter annular portion 326 which defines an outboard tire bead seatretaining flange of the vehicle wheel 300, and includes an outer surface326A and an inner surface 326B. The wheel cover 313 is prefabricated togenerally match the particular configuration of an outboard facingsurface 312A of the wheel portion 312

The outboard tire bead seat retaining flange 326 of the wheel portion312 includes an outer peripheral end 362 and a pair of annular grooves366 and 368 formed therein. Preferably, the outer peripheral end 362 andthe grooves 366 and 368 are formed by a machining operation topredetermined specifications. However, the outer peripheral end 362and/or one or both of the grooves 366 and 368 can be formed by othermethods. For example, the outer peripheral end 362 and/or one or both ofthe grooves 366 and 368 can be formed by a stamping operation or aspinning operation. The outer peripheral end 362 includes a firstsurface 362A, a second surface 362B, a third surface 362C, a fourthsurface 362D, a fifth surface 362E, a sixth surface 362F, a seventhsurface 362G, an eighth surface 362H. Alternatively, the configurationof the outer peripheral end 362 can be other than illustrated ifdesired, and the number, spacing, and configuration of one or both ofthe grooves 366 and 368 and/or one or more of the surfaces 362A through362H can be other than illustrated if desired.

As shown in FIGS. 19, the wheel cover 313 include an outer end 370 whichdefines an outer surface 372, an inner surface 374, and an outer annularlip 376. The outer annular lip 376 defines an outer peripheral edge 378.As shown in this embodiment, the inner surface 374 of the wheel cover313 contact substantially the entire length of the surfaces 362D and362E; the inner surface 374 of the wheel cover 313 only contacts thetransitional edge surfaces 362A′ and 362B′ defined between respectivesurfaces 362A and 362B and 362B and 362C; and the outer peripheral edge378 of the wheel cover 313 does not contact the adjacent surface 362G ofthe wheel portion 312 however, in some instances, depending upon theuniformity of the outer annular lip 376 of the wheel cover 313, thecontact between the wheel cover 313 and the wheel portion 312 can beother than illustrated.

In order to permanently secure the wheel cover 313 to the wheel portion312, an adhesive/sealant 380 is utilized, such as a silicone or anepoxy. The adhesive/sealant 380 is preferably selectively applied on theoutboard facing surface 312A of the wheel portion 312 and the outerperipheral end 362 of the wheel portion 312 in a predetermined patternso that when the wheel cover 313 is installed on the wheel portion 312,the adhesive/sealant 380 is effective to permanently secure the wheelcover 313 to the wheel portion 312 and also provides a seal between thewheel cover 313 and the wheel portion 312 which is effective to preventwater, mud, salt and other debris from entering between the wheel cover313 and the outboard facing surface 312A of the wheel portion 312. Inaddition, the adhesive/sealant 380 fills any gaps or spaces between thesurfaces 362A, 362B, 362C, 362D, and 362E of the outer peripheral end362 and the inner surface 374 of the wheel cover 313 to further assistin securing the wheel cover 313 to the wheel portion 312 and also toprevent water, mud, salt and other debris from entering between theouter annular lip 370 of the wheel cover 313 and the outboard tire beadseat retaining flange 326 of the wheel portion 312. Alternatively, theadhesive/sealant 380 can be selectively applied to the inner surface313B of the wheel cover 313 (not shown); or selectively applied to boththe outboard facing surface 312A of the wheel portion 312 and the innersurface 313B of the wheel cover 313.

Referring now to FIGS. 20 and 21, there is illustrated a sequence ofoperations for producing the vehicle wheel 300 in accordance with thisinvention. As shown therein, the wheel cover 313 includes the outer end370 which is prefabricated in such a manners manner so as to generallyresemble the particular configuration of the outboard facing surface312B of the wheel portion 312, including the outer end 362 thereof. Inparticular, the wheel cover 313 includes a prefabricated generallyU-shaped outer end 370 which generally matches the profile of the outerperipheral end 362 of the wheel portion 312. Alternatively, the wheelcover 112 can include partially formed outer ends 370′ and 370″ shown inphantom in FIG. 15.

To install the wheel cover 313, initially, the wheel cover 313 ispositioned adjacent the outboard facing surface 312A of the wheel disc312 with a tool (not shown but can be similar to the tool 82 shown inFIGS. 6 through 8) positioned adjacent a portion of an outer surface313A of the wheel cover 313. As shown in this embodiment, theadhesive/sealant 380 is preferably applied to the outboard facingsurface 312A of the wheel portion 312. Alternatively, theadhesive/sealant 380 can be selectively applied to an inner surface 313Bof the wheel cover 313; or selectively applied to both the outboardfacing surface 312A of the wheel portion 312 and the inner surface 313Bof the wheel cover 313.

Next, the tool is moved axially toward the wheel portion 312 to bias theouter end 370 of the wheel cover 313 against the adjacent surface of theouter peripheral end 362 of the wheel portion 312 and force open theouter end 370 of the wheel cover 313. The wheel cover 313 is furthermoved axially toward the wheel portion 312 so as to space the innersurface 313B of the wheel cover 313 a predetermined distance from theoutboard facing surface 312A of the wheel portion 312 such that there isa sufficient thickness of the adhesive/sealant 380 at the interfacebetween the wheel portion 312 and the wheel cover 313, as shown in FIGS.19 and 21. At the same time, the outer end 370 of the wheel cover 313springs back to its prefabricated profile and is received in the groove366 to thereby produce the vehicle wheel 300.

In accordance with the provisions of the patents statues, the principleand mode of operation of this invention have been described andillustrated in its preferred embodiments. However, it must be understoodthat the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specificallyexplained and illustrated without departing from the scope or spirit ofthe attached claims.

1. A vehicle wheel defining an axis and comprising: a wheel discdefining an outboard facing wheel surface and including an outboard tirebead seat retaining flange, said outboard bead seat retaining flangeincluding an outer peripheral end and an inner surface having at leastone annular groove formed therein; a wheel cover covering at least aportion of said outboard facing wheel surface and the entire portion ofsaid outer peripheral end of said outboard bead seat retaining flange,said wheel cover including an outer end; and an adhesive disposed insaid annular groove to secure said outer end of said wheel cover to saidouter peripheral end of said wheel disc and to provide a seal to preventwater, mud, salt and other debris from entering between said outer endof said wheel cover and said outer peripheral end of said wheel disc;wherein said outer peripheral end includes a plurality of spaced apartannular grooves formed therein.
 2. The vehicle wheel defined in claim 1wherein said outer peripheral end of said wheel disc defines at least afirst surface, a second surface, and a third surface, said outer end ofsaid wheel cover defines an outer surface, an inner surface, and anouter annular lip which defines an outer peripheral edge, said innersurface of said wheel cover being spaced apart from at least one of saidfirst surface, said second surface, and said third surface of said outerperipheral end so as to define a gap therebetween, and said adhesive isdisposed in said gap.
 3. The vehicle wheel defined in claim 1 whereinsaid outer end of said wheel cover includes an outwardly flared outerannular lip which defines an outer peripheral edge of said wheel cover,and said groove extends in a generally radial direction to apredetermined depth which completely recesses said outer peripheral edgeof said wheel cover within said groove.
 4. The vehicle wheel defined inclaim 1 wherein said wheel cover is prefabricated to generally matchsaid outboard facing wheel surface of said wheel disc.
 5. The vehiclewheel defined in claim 1 wherein said adhesive is selectively applied onsaid outboard facing wheel surface of said wheel disc and said outerperipheral end of said wheel disc in a predetermined pattern.
 6. Thevehicle wheel defined in claim 1 wherein selected portions of said wheelcover are spaced apart from said outboard facing wheel surface of saidwheel disc.
 7. A vehicle wheel defining an axis and comprising: a wheeldisc defining an outboard facing wheel surface and including an outboardtire bead seat retaining flange, said outboard bead seat retainingflange including an outer peripheral end and an inner surface having atleast one annular groove formed therein; a wheel cover covering at leasta portion of said outboard facing wheel surface and the entire portionof said outer peripheral end of said outboard bead seat retainingflange, said wheel cover including an outer end which includes anoutwardly flared outer annular lip which defines an outer peripheraledge of said wheel cover; and an adhesive disposed in said annulargroove to secure said outer end of said wheel cover to said outerperipheral end of said disc and to provide a seal to prevent water, mud,salt and other debris from entering between said outer end of said wheelcover and said outer peripheral end of said disc; wherein said grooveextends in a generally radial direction to a predetermined depth whichcompletely recesses said outer peripheral edge of said wheel coverwithin said groove.
 8. The vehicle wheel defined in claim 7 wherein saidouter peripheral end includes a plurality of spaced apart annulargrooves formed therein.
 9. The vehicle wheel defined in claim 7 whereinsaid outer peripheral end of said wheel disc defines at least a firstsurface, a second surface, and a third surface, said outer end of saidwheel cover defines an outer surface, an inner surface, and an outerannular lip which defines an outer peripheral edge, said inner surfaceof said wheel cover being spaced apart from at least one of said firstsurface, said second surface, and said third surface of said outerperipheral end so as to define a gap therebetween, and said adhesive isdisposed in said gap.
 10. The vehicle wheel defined in claim 3 7 whereinsaid wheel cover is prefabricated to generally match said outboardfacing wheel surface of said wheel disc.
 11. The vehicle wheel definedin claim 7 wherein said adhesive is selectively applied on said outboardfacing wheel surface of said wheel disc and said outer peripheral end ofsaid wheel disc in a predetermined pattern.
 12. The vehicle wheeldefined in claim 7 wherein selected portions of said wheel cover arespaced apart from said outboard facing wheel surface of said wheel disc.13. A vehicle wheel defining an axis and comprising: a wheel discdefining an outboard facing wheel surface and including an outboard tirebead seat retaining flange, said outboard bead seat retaining flangeincluding an outer peripheral end and an inner surface having at leastone groove formed therein; a wheel cover covering at least a portion ofsaid outboard facing wheel surface and the entire portion of said outerperipheral end of said outboard bead seat retaining flange, said wheelcover including an outer end which includes an outer annular lip whichdefines an outer peripheral edge of said wheel cover; and an adhesivedisposed in said groove to secure said outer end of said wheel cover tosaid outer peripheral end of said disc and to provide a seal to preventwater, mud, salt and other debris from entering between said outer endof said wheel cover and said outer peripheral end of said disc; whereinsaid groove in said inner surface extends to a predetermined depth whichcompletely recesses said outer peripheral edge of said wheel coverwithin said groove.
 14. The vehicle wheel defined in claim 13 whereinsaid groove is a generally annular groove.
 15. The vehicle wheel definedin claim 13 wherein said outer peripheral end includes a plurality ofspaced apart grooves formed therein.
 16. The vehicle wheel defined inclaim 13 wherein said outer peripheral end of said wheel disc defines atleast a first surface, a second surface, and a third surface, said outerend of said wheel cover defines an outer surface, an inner surface, andan outer annular lip which defines an outer peripheral edge, said innersurface of said wheel cover being spaced apart from at least one of saidfirst surface, said second surface, and said third surface of said outerperipheral end so as to define a gap therebetween, and said adhesive isdisposed in said gap.
 17. The vehicle wheel defined in claim 13 whereinsaid outer end of said wheel cover includes an outwardly flared outerannular lip which defines an outer peripheral edge of said wheel cover,and said groove in said inner surface extends to a predetermined depthwhich completely recesses said outer peripheral edge of said wheel coverwithin said groove.
 18. The vehicle wheel defined in claim 13 whereinsaid wheel cover is prefabricated to generally match said outboardfacing wheel surface of said wheel disc.
 19. The vehicle wheel definedin claim 13 wherein said adhesive is selectively applied on saidoutboard facing wheel surface of said wheel disc and said outerperipheral end of said wheel disc in a predetermined pattern.
 20. Thevehicle wheel defined in claim 13 wherein selected portions of saidwheel cover are spaced apart from said outboard facing wheel surface ofsaid wheel disc.
 21. A vehicle wheel defining an axis and comprising: awheel disc defining an outboard facing wheel surface and including anoutboard tire bead seat retaining flange, said outboard bead seatretaining flange including an outer peripheral end and an inner surfacehaving at least one annular groove formed therein; and a wheel covercovering at least a portion of said outboard facing wheel surface andthe entire portion of said outer peripheral end of said outboard beadseat retaining flange, said wheel cover including an outwardly flaredouter annular lip which defines an outer peripheral edge of said wheelcover.
 22. The vehicle wheel defined in claim 21 wherein said grooveextends in a generally radial direction to a predetermined depth whichcompletely recesses said outer peripheral edge of said wheel coverwithin said groove.
 23. The vehicle wheel defined in claim 21 whereinsaid outer peripheral edge of said wheel cover is spaced apart fromcontact with an adjacent surface of said groove.
 24. The vehicle wheeldefined in claim 21 wherein said outwardly flared outer annular lipincludes a generally curved inner surface which contacts at least aportion of said inner surface of said groove.
 25. The vehicle wheeldefined in claim 21 wherein selected portions of said wheel cover arespaced apart from said outboard facing wheel surface of said wheel disc.26. The vehicle wheel defined in claim 21 wherein said groove is formedby one of a machining, stamping or a spinning operation.
 27. The vehiclewheel defined in claim 21 wherein said outboard tire bead seat retainingflange of said wheel disc and said outer end of said wheel cover aredesigned to ensure that a wheel balance weight can be attached to thevehicle wheel.
 28. The vehicle wheel defined in claim 21 wherein saidouter peripheral edge of said wheel cover is spaced from an adjacentsurface of said inner surface of said groove.
 29. The vehicle wheeldefined in claim 21 wherein said wheel cover includes a prefabricatedgenerally U-shaped outer end which generally matches a profile of saidouter peripheral end of said wheel disc.
 30. A vehicle wheel defining anaxis and comprising: a wheel disc defining an outboard facing wheelsurface and including an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange, saidoutboard bead seat retaining flange including an outer peripheral endand an inner surface having at least one annular groove formed therein;and a wheel cover covering at least a portion of said outboard facingwheel surface and the entire portion of said outer peripheral end ofsaid outboard bead seat retaining flange, said wheel cover including anouter end disposed in said groove; wherein said outer end of said wheelcover is provided with an annular depression formed therein which isadapted to enable an end of a balance weight to be received therein andwherein said outer peripheral edge of said wheel cover is spaced apartfrom contact with an adjacent surface of said groove.
 31. The vehiclewheel defined in claim 30 wherein said groove extends in a generallyradial direction to a predetermined depth which completely recesses saidouter peripheral edge of said wheel cover within said groove.
 32. Thevehicle wheel defined in claim 30 wherein said outer end of said wheelcover is prefabricated to generally match a profile of said outerperipheral end of said wheel disc.
 33. A vehicle wheel defining an axisand comprising: a wheel disc defining an outboard facing wheel surfaceand including an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange, said outboardbead seat retaining flange including an outer peripheral end and aninner surface having at least one annular groove formed therein; and awheel cover covering at least a portion of said outboard facing wheelsurface and the entire portion of said outer peripheral end of saidoutboard bead seat retaining flange, said wheel cover including an outerend disposed in said groove; wherein said outer end of said wheel coveris provided with an annular depression formed therein which is adaptedto enable an end of a balance weight to be received therein and whereinsaid outer end of said wheel cover includes an outwardly flared outerannular lip.
 34. The vehicle wheel defined in claim 33 wherein saidoutwardly flared outer annular lip includes a generally curved innersurface which contacts at least a portion of said inner surface of saidgroove.
 35. The vehicle wheel defined in claim 30 wherein selectedportions of said wheel cover are spaced apart from said outboard facingwheel surface of said wheel disc.
 36. The vehicle wheel defined in claim30 wherein said groove is formed by one of a machining, stamping or aspinning operation.
 37. A vehicle wheel defining an axis and comprising:a wheel disc defining an outboard facing wheel surface and including anoutboard tire bead seat retaining flange, said outboard bead seatretaining flange including an outer peripheral end and an inner surfacehaving at least one annular groove formed therein; and a wheel covercovering at least a portion of said outboard facing wheel surface andthe entire portion of said outer peripheral end of said outboard beadseat retaining flange, said wheel cover including an outer end disposedin said groove; wherein said outer end of said wheel cover is providedwith an annular depression formed therein which is adapted to enable anend of a balance weight to be received therein and wherein said outerperipheral edge of said wheel cover is spaced from an adjacent surfaceof said inner surface of said groove.
 38. The vehicle wheel defined inclaim 33 wherein said outer end of said wheel cover is prefabricated togenerally match a profile of said outer peripheral end of said wheeldisc.
 39. The vehicle wheel defined in claim 33 wherein said grooveextends in a generally radial direction to a predetermined depth whichcompletely recesses said outer peripheral edge of said wheel coverwithin said groove.
 40. The vehicle wheel defined in claim 33 whereinselected portions of said wheel cover are spaced apart from saidoutboard facing wheel surface of said wheel disc.
 41. The vehicle wheeldefined in claim 33 wherein said groove is formed by one of a machining,stamping or a spinning operation.
 42. The vehicle wheel defined in claim37 wherein said outer end of said wheel cover is prefabricated togenerally match a profile of said outer peripheral end of said wheeldisc.
 43. The vehicle wheel defined in claim 37 wherein said grooveextends in a generally radial direction to a predetermined depth whichcompletely recesses said outer peripheral edge of said wheel coverwithin said groove.
 44. The vehicle wheel defined in claim 37 whereinselected portions of said wheel cover are spaced apart from saidoutboard facing wheel surface of said wheel disc.
 45. The vehicle wheeldefined in claim 37 wherein said groove is formed by one of a machining,stamping or a spinning operation.